Getting Started with Homeschooling: A Guide for New Families

Homeschooling is a journey filled with excitement, learning, and discovery—not just for your child but for you as well! If you're new to homeschooling, you might feel a mix of emotions: enthusiasm, uncertainty, and maybe even a little bit of overwhelm. That’s completely normal. This guide will help you get started with confidence and joy. I love love love my own homeschooling journey and I hope you will to!

1. Define Your ‘Why’

Before diving into curriculum choices and daily schedules, take some time to reflect on why you are choosing to homeschool. Your ‘why’ will serve as your foundation and guide your decisions when challenges arise. Whether it’s providing a more tailored education, fostering a love of learning, or creating a slower, more connected childhood, keeping your reasons in mind will help you stay motivated.

There will be days when doubt creeps in—when lessons feel overwhelming, energy is low, or outside pressures make you question your path. In those moments, it helps to look back at your list and remind yourself why you started. Your ‘why’ isn’t just for the good days; it’s what will carry you through the hard ones too.

This list isn’t just a reminder—it’s meant to lift you up and make you fall in love with homeschooling over and over again. And remember, it’s perfectly okay if your ‘why’ shifts over time—mine definitely has! Here is share my latest top 5 reasons for homeschooling.

2. Know Your State’s Homeschooling Laws

Each state (or country) has its own homeschooling requirements. Some states have minimal regulations, while others require detailed record-keeping and assessments. Be sure to research your local laws so you can comply with any necessary paperwork, testing, or portfolio requirements.

3. Choose a Homeschooling Approach That Fits Your Family

One of the most exciting parts of homeschooling is that there is no one-size-fits-all method. Some popular approaches include:

• Waldorf (rhythm, storytelling, and art-based learning)

• Montessori (hands-on, child-led exploration)

• Charlotte Mason (living books, nature studies, and narration)

• Classical (focus on logic, rhetoric, and great works of literature)

• Unit Studies (integrating subjects around a common theme)

• Eclectic (a mix of various approaches tailored to your family)

Take time to explore different styles and remember—you don’t have to commit to just one! I am doing a mix of everything from each philosophy that I love — other homeschoolers I know follow 90% Montessori with a mix of Waldorf - it is 100% up to you how you homeschool, look at your everyday life, your child’s/children’s learning styles and personalities, and what really inspires you, and try some of the styles out. You can — no you always will — be adapting and changing how you teach.

4. Create a Simple Daily Rhythm

A predictable rhythm provides structure without rigidity. This could include:

• Morning Time: Reading aloud, poetry, or music

• Main Lessons: Language arts, math, or a unit study

• Hands-On Learning: Nature walks, science experiments, or baking

• Creative Time: Art, music, storytelling, or handcrafts

• Afternoon Adventures: Park outings, free play, or field trips

Your rhythm will evolve as you learn what works best for your family, don’t be afraid to change it and try out different ways of structuring your day - it has to fit your family and your needs and then cut everything out that does not make sense in your everyday life.

5. Choose Curriculum (or Make Your Own!)

Don’t stress about choosing the “perfect” curriculum. Many new homeschoolers spend too much time and money trying to find the best materials when, in reality, homeschooling is about connection and curiosity. Start with a few basics—math, reading, and a subject of interest—and build from there.

I mostly just make my own unit studies and then we use work books for Language arts and have a set math curriculum. It can be daunting venturing out into teaching you own kid, but it is also such a great way of having fun together, building a great relationship, and making memories. Also don’t be afraid to ask your child what he or she likes.

6. Prioritize Free Play and Exploration

Children learn best when they are engaged, curious, and free to explore. Homeschooling doesn’t mean sitting at a desk for hours. Allow plenty of space for creative play, nature adventures, and hands-on learning. Homeschooling isn’t about recreating school at home—it’s about creating a learning environment that feels natural, joyful, and in tune with your family’s rhythm. There will be days when everything flows beautifully, and there will be days when nothing goes as planned. That’s okay. Learning doesn’t have to happen at a desk with structured lessons every day. It can look like reading together on the couch, doing math while snuggled under a blanket, or taking an afternoon walk where curiosity leads the way.

Some of the most meaningful learning happens in the small, everyday moments—baking bread and measuring ingredients, watching the shadows shift throughout the day, or pausing to notice the way raindrops gather on a leaf. Homeschooling gives us the freedom to embrace these moments and recognize that learning is happening all the time, even when it doesn’t look like traditional school.

And on the hard days—when you wonder if you’re doing enough or if you made the right choice—look back at your ‘why.’ That list isn’t just a practical tool; it’s a reminder of the deep, beautiful reasons you chose this path. It’s meant to inspire you, to rekindle your love for homeschooling, and to remind you that flexibility, connection, and joy matter just as much as the lessons themselves.

7. Connect with Other Homeschoolers

Finding a homeschooling community—whether locally or online—can provide support, encouragement, and friendship. You can look for co-ops, homeschool meetups, or Facebook groups in your area. While I personally don’t participate in co-ops, I know many families who love them and find them to be a wonderful way to connect, share resources, and build friendships. If a co-op feels like a good fit for your family, it can be a great way to add structure and social opportunities to your homeschool journey. But you don’t need a co-op or a big group to homeschool. If in-person groups aren’t your thing or don’t fit into your rhythm, that’s perfectly okay too. Online communities can be just as valuable! There are so many incredible homeschoolers sharing their experiences, offering encouragement, and building connections in virtual spaces. Whether through Facebook groups, forums, or even following like-minded homeschoolers on Instagram or YouTube, finding an online homeschool community can offer just as much support and inspiration as an in-person one.

We’ve always been fortunate to have wonderful friends throughout our journey both in person and online. In the early years, we found connection through baby groups and music classes, then later through an amazing homeschool community build from the ground. As we moved and Mathilde grew older, her friendships naturally evolved. Now, many of her friends attend school, but they share her passion for dance, singing, and acting, which keeps them connected in meaningful ways.

As Madison gets older, I’m now beginning the search for groups and opportunities where she can build her own friendships, just as Matilda did. Every stage of homeschooling brings new relationships and connections, and I love watching my children find their people along the way.

At the end of the day, homeschooling is about what works best for your family. Some families thrive in a structured group setting, while others prefer a more independent approach. There’s no right or wrong way—just the way that makes homeschooling feel fulfilling and sustainable for you.

8. Trust the Process

Homeschooling is a journey, not a race. It’s okay if your first year feels messy. What matters most is that your child is engaged, loved, and growing in curiosity and confidence. Trust yourself, embrace the joy of learning together, and remember—you’ve got this!

Are you just starting your homeschooling journey? What questions or concerns do you have? Share them in the comments!